Vegetation clearing along Beerburrum Road Rail upgrade to start WORKS will soon begin along Beerburrum Road that will result in the speed limit returning to 100km/hr later in the year. Transport and Main Roads North Coast regional director Scott Whitaker said the works planned for early August would involve clearing trees and vegetation along a 2km section between Rose Creek to just north of Eaton Road. “As well as removing potential hazards for vehicles that run off the road, the clearing will improve the visibility of signs and increase the fire break within the corridor,” Mr Whitaker said. “I want to assure the community we have thoroughly assessed the works against environmental and cultural heritage guidelines. “Work crews will include a qualified fauna spotter and catcher to proactively
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check the work zone for animals and wildlife. Any animals found will be safely relocated.” Mr Whitaker said that following a speed limit review, the speed was lowered from 100km/h to 80km/h in late 2019 as an interim measure. “This vegetation clearing is one of the safety improvements we are implementing to allow the 100km/h speed limit to return later this year,” he said. Crews will work from 6am-5pm with a safety exclusion zone around equipment and workers. Single-lane closures, traffic controllers, reduced speed limits and signs will be in place during works to ensure roadworker and motorist safety. “It is vital motorists observe all signs and directions from workers when approaching the roadworks and adapt their driving behaviour to the changed traffic conditions,” Mr Whitaker said. “Thank you to motorists and the local community in advance for their patience and cooperation during these essential works.” The project is expected to be completed by mid-September, weather and site conditions permitting.
THE long awaited and much touted railway line upgrade project seems to have finally left the station. Sunshine Coast company Hall Contracting has been awarded the early works construction contract for the $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade (B2N). Work is planned to start in early 2022, creating the first of a total of 333 jobs for the overall project. The upgrade is cooperatively funded, with the Australian Government providing $390 million and the Queensland Government providing $160.8 million. With the project creating more than 300 jobs, state Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said the early works contract was a coup for locals. “More capacity and better rail takes extra cars and trucks off our road, and for the thousands of families that call this area home, that means a quicker, safer commute home,” Mr Hunt said. “It also means more jobs and I’m proud to be part of a government that’s also delivering the new Bells Creek arterial road and the $662 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Steve Irwin Way to Caboolture.” Stage one of B2N will realign a 1km section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road,
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allowing duplication of the rail line and smoothing the curves through this section. The early works will pave the way for the major construction works to deliver rail duplication between Beerburrum and Beerwah, three new road-over-rail bridges and expansion of the park ‘n’ ride facility at Beerburrum. At Landsborough, an additional park ‘n’ ride facility with about 300 parking spaces will be built on the eastern side of the station, removing the need for people to drive across the level crossing to park. Landsborough Station will also benefit from the construction of a new bus interchange. Early works are expected to start in early 2022 and be completed by 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting. Stage one construction is expected to be completed by 2025. For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search for Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade.
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